Volunteer projects returning traditional skills to the New Forest have been recognised by a countryside awards scheme.

Both projects are funded by the New Forest National Park Authority’s Sustainable Communities Fund (SCF), which aims to strengthen the well-being and sustainability of communities within the National Park.

The CPRE Hampshire Countryside Awards was established in 2007 to recognise projects that enhance the environment and quality of life in the county.

Winner of the Green Buildings category was the Shipwrights School at Buckler’s Hard, which received a £20,000 SCF grant and is now home to students on rotation from the International Boatbuilding Training College in Portsmouth.

Pondhead Conservation Trust won the Community and Voluntary category for its volunteers’ work managing Pondhead Inclosure near Lyndhurst using traditional woodland skills. The charity received £23,000 from the SCF and aims to encourage a greater diversity of wildlife and plant life in the inclosure, as well as making the area more accessible for local people.

Marian Spain, National Park Authority Member, said, “I’d like to congratulate both these projects on their awards; they’re excellent examples of the benefits of the Sustainable Communities Fund.

“We’re continuing to support projects that conserve the biodiversity of the National Park or encourage people to travel car-free and I look forward to supporting many more award-winning schemes in the future.”

Derek Tippetts, from Pondhead Conservation Trust, said, “Our project was set up to support and continue our coppice manager, Dave Dibden’s restoration work in this 76 hectare area of woodland in the heart of the New Forest, in order to improve its biodiversity and public enjoyment.

“We regard this prestigious award in our first year of operation as the ‘icing on the cake’. It would not have been possible without our willing band of volunteers who turn up come rain or shine, so this award is very much their award. If you would like to join us, it’s easy to do so on our website at www.pondheadconservation.org.uk.”

The SCF is a grants scheme run by the New Forest National Park Authority that helps promote sustainable living and working within the National Park, with grants available for up to 75 per cent of a project’s cost.

This year, the fund is looking to support projects that

Provide sustainable transport options, to help enable visitors and residents to travel car-free in the New Forest and reduce the impact of traffic.

Conserve the biodiversity of the National Park by supporting local landowners to deliver wildlife conservation improvements and resilience against climate change.